Book And Celebrity Vicar Showcased in Cathedral Event

New Plymouth’s Cathedral is launching a book about its birth – while checking out the exploits of its TV star vicar and starting a Friends of the Cathedral group.

Taranaki Dean, Revd Jamie Allen once starred in an eight-part BBC series about life in a English country parish - filmed in 2001.

The programme showed the family moving from a busy urban socially deprived parish to rural villages in conservative England. He and wife Suzy had three young daughters; he’d abandoned a career in computing for training in the priesthood.

Looking back, he says the show attracted a wide audience, “We didn't really expect that anyone would watch the programme ! And then, when we were on holiday in France, a family on the Metro spotted us, and asked me “How things were” in the parish... We realised then the extent of the programme's audience and worried about all the embarrassing moments."

He says, “There was a huge (and quite overwhelming) response to the programme. We received literally thousands of emails and letters. Some of the viewers wrote to say they had returned to their local church; had achieved a reconciliation with someone in their family (the programme touched on this), and so on. Others just enjoyed watching it.. and some have even stayed in touch."

Reflecting on the screening of an episode of the programme, here in New Plymouth, Dean Allen writes, “It will make us squirm to watch it again. For one thing, there’s the beard ! However, this community has been so generous in receiving us; it feels right to share this part of our journey, even though it brings with it a certain vulnerability."

An episode of the series will be screened as a one-off for Cathedral parishioners, invited guests and interested members of the public.

It will coincide with the launch of a book about the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary’s. Entitled Taranaki’s Cathedral - Bringing it to Birth, it traces the history of the church and the background to its consecration last year as a cathedral.

The book features images from local photographer Rob Tucker and words from Bishop John Bluck and is a handsome tribute to an unusual happening – the creation of the world’s newest cathedral, says Mr Allen. “An event which was only possible because of the generosity of this community in funding assistance."

In the book Bishop Bluck writes: “Most cathedrals take hundreds of years to build. In Taranaki, like most things that happen here, we did it differently. Just how differently is the subject of this book."

At the same time the Friends of the Cathedral group is to get underway, giving Taranaki people a chance to support the regional cathedral.

Bishop of Taranaki, Philip Richardson, will also speak about what lies ahead for the Cathedral and outline future funding plans, while the church’s work in the community will be highlighted.

Mr Allen says all are welcome to the lunchtime event, although those attending are asked to RSVP to the Cathedral office on 06 7583111 by July 9 for catering purposes. The venue is the New Plymouth Girls High Hall, from 12noon.

ENDS

© Scoop Media